Christian Olsen

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 03/01/2017 - 16:03

First Name:

Christian

Last Name:

Olsen

Date of Birth:

Tuesday, January 24, 1888

Date Enlisted:

Sunday, July 25, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

Dermatological Hospital

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Details:

Christian Olsen (Service No 9199) was born in Borge, Norway and arrived in Australia on 16th June 1911. On 19th April 1915 Christian was naturalized and became an Australian citizen.

At enlistment Christian was single, 26 years old, and worked as a wardsman at Wollongong Hospital.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A61 Kanowna on 22nd December 1915.

Christian served in Egypt with the Dermatological Hospital but was returned to Australia in September 1916 for a hernia operation after falling over while lifting a patient.

After recovering from his operation Christian embarked for England and arrived there on 11th April 1917 and served in England with the Medical Corps.

Christian was returned to Australia in July 1919 and discharged on 13th December 1919.

In February 1942 Christian enlisted to fight in World War II and lowered his age in order to be accepted.

A letter on file from his wife Margaret states that Christian had died before 1954 and they had not married until 1945. Margaret was enquiring about some medals as she had no idea he had served in World War 1.

His death is noted in 'Reveille' (1st December 1958) but no date is given.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, OLSEN CHRISTIAN